How hard is physical therapy or occupational therapy school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great question OP!

Has anyone researched pediatric OT programs? My DD with dyslexia/ dyscalculia has loved her volunteer work with young kids. One of the teachers noted that she has the same energy/ strategies as the OT who visits the kindergarten class. It inspired DD to think about being an OT as she’s seen huge benefits of that work with her sibling/ friends.

But she’s worried about the coursework since she works hard for her B+ in algebra.

I'll bet your DD would be a great OT. I agree with either pursuing less-selective schools or just going for it, knowing that she might need a tutor or learning support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never do PT school now that it is doctorate level…too many years of school and money and not a hige return on investment

yep. You're going to max out at just over 100K on salary and it's a very physically demanding career that is entirely in-person. It's like pharmacy school (minus the physical part). It's a great starting salary but there is a low salary ceiling unless you leave the actual practice of pharmacy and blend your pharmacy backgroud with an MBA or go into administration or whatnot (and there are a finite number of jobs down these avenues). Just something to consider. The salaries for PTs, OTs, pharmacists are all ones that the DCUM posters typically scoff at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great question OP!

Has anyone researched pediatric OT programs? My DD with dyslexia/ dyscalculia has loved her volunteer work with young kids. One of the teachers noted that she has the same energy/ strategies as the OT who visits the kindergarten class. It inspired DD to think about being an OT as she’s seen huge benefits of that work with her sibling/ friends.

But she’s worried about the coursework since she works hard for her B+ in algebra.

OT is pretty science and math intense and requires a masters degree. The masters programs are 2-3 years after the BS degree. It’s a lot of school. You might want to look at the coursework required.

[Anonymous]

I would note for those that are concerned about the relatively "low" salaries that these are growing industries...we don't know what the salaries will be like moving forward. And they are less likely to be replaced by AI than some others. I for one am thrilled that my (high stats) DD is interested in PT. The PTs that I know love their work--they get to really spend time with their patients--whereas many of the physicians that I know are discouraging their kids from becoming docs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would note for those that are concerned about the relatively "low" salaries that these are growing industries...we don't know what the salaries will be like moving forward. And they are less likely to be replaced by AI than some others. I for one am thrilled that my (high stats) DD is interested in PT. The PTs that I know love their work--they get to really spend time with their patients--whereas many of the physicians that I know are discouraging their kids from becoming docs.

I've done books for therapy practices, you're incorrect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would note for those that are concerned about the relatively "low" salaries that these are growing industries...we don't know what the salaries will be like moving forward. And they are less likely to be replaced by AI than some others. I for one am thrilled that my (high stats) DD is interested in PT. The PTs that I know love their work--they get to really spend time with their patients--whereas many of the physicians that I know are discouraging their kids from becoming docs.

I've done books for therapy practices, you're incorrect.

Why so cryptic? Just say what it is you have to say. As is, I have no idea what it is.

I will say that in initial job-related searches my HS has done, the references seem to indicate that the PP is correct. These are professions that are growing/changing and salaries are likely to increase, though it is not known by how much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would note for those that are concerned about the relatively "low" salaries that these are growing industries...we don't know what the salaries will be like moving forward. And they are less likely to be replaced by AI than some others. I for one am thrilled that my (high stats) DD is interested in PT. The PTs that I know love their work--they get to really spend time with their patients--whereas many of the physicians that I know are discouraging their kids from becoming docs.

As a career PT I appreciate your optimism for our profession. However those of us actually working in the field do not have much hope of any future salary increase as for decades we've been undervalued. I would get your head out of the sand.
And if your kid wants to actually buy a house in the DMV I hope you have money ready to gift her a down payment. My DC colleagues cannot afford to buy within an hour of work unless they are married to a higher earner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PT requires a doctorate now to sit for the exam. So it’s not 4 years and done. It’s extremely competitive to get into.

It’s also a profession that generally is capped for income as PT clinics are limited by insurance reimbursements

This^^^

It is extremely competitive to get into a DPT program. Many bright students take a few cycles and 10+ applications each cycle before they land a spot.

Then you are not paid very well relatively speaking. Most cap out at $100-110K (a bit more in large cities/HCOL area, but not much). Given that those 3 years of PT school could easily cost $50-80K+/year the ROI is not there.
PT clinics are limited in what they can charge patients by the insurance system and medicare. That is why salaries are not higher. Go into a PT clinic and there will likely be only 1-2 PTs on staff, the rest will be PTAs. The PT does the intake sessions and formulates your treatment plan, and the real work for the next 8-10+ weeks is done by the PTA who you see. The PT themselves spend a lot of time on paperwork/mangement and not as much in actual treatment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would never do PT school now that it is doctorate level…too many years of school and money and not a hige return on investment

yep. You're going to max out at just over 100K on salary and it's a very physically demanding career that is entirely in-person. It's like pharmacy school (minus the physical part). It's a great starting salary but there is a low salary ceiling unless you leave the actual practice of pharmacy and blend your pharmacy backgroud with an MBA or go into administration or whatnot (and there are a finite number of jobs down these avenues). Just something to consider. The salaries for PTs, OTs, pharmacists are all ones that the DCUM posters typically scoff at.

+1. Because spending $200K+ on graduate school to become a PT and Max out at $100K is NOT a good return on investment. Add in the physically demanding career that is all in person and you have to really really want to do this over say PA or Med school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would note for those that are concerned about the relatively "low" salaries that these are growing industries...we don't know what the salaries will be like moving forward. And they are less likely to be replaced by AI than some others. I for one am thrilled that my (high stats) DD is interested in PT. The PTs that I know love their work--they get to really spend time with their patients--whereas many of the physicians that I know are discouraging their kids from becoming docs.

The salaries will not increase as our insurance system is messed up in the USA. Most PT clinics use 1-2 PTs on staff for the intake sessions and to oversee. The day to day treatments are done by PTAs, who are highly qualified but command a lower salary due to less education.
Talk to a PT and many spend too much of their time on the management/insurance side of things, not doing actual treatments (as much as they'd like). Despite the need for PT, the salaries are not trending upward because insurance is paying less and less for each PT session.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would note for those that are concerned about the relatively "low" salaries that these are growing industries...we don't know what the salaries will be like moving forward. And they are less likely to be replaced by AI than some others. I for one am thrilled that my (high stats) DD is interested in PT. The PTs that I know love their work--they get to really spend time with their patients--whereas many of the physicians that I know are discouraging their kids from becoming docs.

As a career PT I appreciate your optimism for our profession. However those of us actually working in the field do not have much hope of any future salary increase as for decades we've been undervalued. I would get your head out of the sand.
And if your kid wants to actually buy a house in the DMV I hope you have money ready to gift her a down payment. My DC colleagues cannot afford to buy within an hour of work unless they are married to a higher earner.

Yup! Taking out $150K+ in student loans for a job that pays 90-100K (and likely wont pay more in the near future) makes it difficult to live in a HCOL area. You will spend the first 10 years just struggling to pay off those loans.

Meanwhile, my kid (who initially wanted PT and then realized they couldn't manage the science/A&P/etc) switched to business/finance. They live in a MCOL area and 2 years out of undergrad are making $72K/year. They have no graduate school loans. They live in a very nice apt for $1300/month (think fake Hardwood throughout, granite counters, AC/well managed place/underground heated parking) and decent houses are affordable on their current salary (within 30 mins from work).

[Anonymous]

I’m an RN but would have preferred being an OT or PT. They are great fields, but underpaid as mentioned for so many years of education. Good luck to your kid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP from above--I went to PT school 20 years ago and it was the hardest two years of my life. College was nothing in comparison.

Yeah, must be tough to learn how to say, “Great, let’s try that again.”

[Anonymous]

For OT there are some schools that do a 3-2 program so you get a masters in OT in a total of 5 years, the pre-reqs are hard for people not so good at math, but he managed and is now on his way to being an OT and is very happy and will have almost no debt since it was only 1 additional year.

[Anonymous]

My kid is interested in PT b/c, like many athletes, has been to them numerous times over the years. It lets them stay connected with sports and fitness. I, too, am worried about earning potential and cost of education. We know a PT who doesn't accept insurance, but it also seems like they work ALL the time and I do have concerns about work/life balance. Any idea of other careers/fields of study my kid can explore?